by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller tried to conspire with an employee of an NFL-contracted drug testing company to swap out a urine sample this offseason. The NFL and Miller's representatives discovered the unsuccessful attempt to subvert NFL testing rules in August while Miller was attempting to appeal a four-game suspension, a person with knowledge of Miller's situation told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of confidentiality rules with the NFL's drug testing program.

Miller was initially suspended after he provided a diluted urine sample after an offseason practice. Because he was in the second phase of the NFL's drug program due to a failed test in 2011, the diluted sample, which came after Miller spilled his first attempt at providing a sample, triggered a four-game suspension.

When it was discovered Miller had also tried to avoid a different test, the appeal process was halted and negotiations began as Miller's camp tried to avoid a one-year ban. The six-game suspension he received came as the result of negotiations between the NFL, the NFL Players Association and Miller's representatives. The employee from Drug Free Sports has been fired.

The revelation of Miller's attempt to swap out a sample will not change his current suspension, which is scheduled to end on Oct. 14. He will be eligible to play in Denver's game at the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 20.

Miller has declined all interview requests since his suspension was announced Aug. 20. He wrote on his Twitter account July 22 that he did "nothing wrong" and two days later, upon reporting to training camp, told reporters in Denver he would explain the circumstances that led to his suspension once his case was resolved.

That hasn't happened. In the time since he was temporarily banned, Miller has also been arrested on an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court on a traffic violation and was cited for speeding and driving on a suspended license.